Reels



April 9, 1963 G. c. BASTOW REELS 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Aug. 8, 1961 FIG. 1.

INVENTOR. 60900 0. 545 704V,

47'7'OE/VEYS.

April 9, 1963 s. c. BASTOW REEL-S 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Aug. 8, 1961 INVENTOR. Gaeaam 0. 5487-040,

United States Patent aesasse REELS Gordon C. Bastow, 7244 Ilnlet Drive, North Burnaby, British Columbia, Canada Filed Aug. 8, 1961, set. No. 130,943 9 Gainns. (Cl. 2 i2-lil7.6)

This invention relates to novel spring Wound reels for cords, such as radio extension speaker and earphone cords, electrical appliance cords, clotheslines, captive pen or pencil chains, and the like.

The primary object of the invention is the provision of efficient reels of the character indicated, which are of maximum simplicity in construction, and are capable of being manufactured in rugged and lightweight forms, at relatively low cost, from lightweight and inexpensive materials, such as aluminum and like metals, and plastics.

Another object of the invention is the provision of reels of the character indicated above, which involve reel housings or casings having cord admitting openings in their sidewalls, and reel rotors having cores which extend between and are journalled on the end walls of the housings, the cores having spaced reel flanges thereon, one of which has circumferentially spaced ratchet lugs thereon, for ratchetting over ratchet bosses on a related housing end wall, exposed means on one end of the cores for rotatin the cores for winding and tensioning spring means, connected to the reel cores and a housing end wall, and means mounted through a housing end wall for displacing the ratchet lug equipped reel flanges away from the ratchet boss equipped housing end walls, preliminary to rotating the rotors for tensioning the spring means, and as a condition precedent to freeing the rotors to be rotated by their spring means for winding cords on the cores between the flanges.

A further object of the invention is the provision of reels of the character indicated above, which include cord securing means in the form of discs on the rotor cores and spaced from the rotor flanges, the discs having curved chordal slots opening to their peripheral edges, in which end portions or portions intermediate the ends of oords are adapted to be engaged, so as to be drawn into the housings and Wound around the cores, as the rotors are freed to be rotated by their spring means.

Other important objects and advantageous features of the invention will be apparent from the following description and the accompanying drawings, wherein, for purposes of illustration only, a specific form of the invention is set forth in detail.

In the drawings:

FIGURE 1 is an end elevation, partly broken away of a reel of the present invention, engaged ratchet lugs and bosses being shown in phantom lines;

FIGURE 2 is a side elevation of FIGURE 1;

FIGURE 3 is a longitudinal section taken on the line 33 of FIGURE 1;

FIGURE 4 is a transverse section taken on the line 44- of FIGURE 2;

FIGURE 5 is a transverse section taken on the line 55 of FIGURE 3;

FIGURE 6 is a side elevation, partly broken away and in section, showing another form of reel of the present invention;

FIGURE 7 is a longitudinal section taken through a further form of the invention;

FIGURE 8 is a transverse section taken on the line 8-8 of FIGURE 7;

FIGURE 9 is a schematic view showing an intermediate part of a cord bent for insertion through a reel housing opening, preliminary to being engaged in the slot of a rot-or disc;

FIGURE 10 is a view like FIGURE 9, showing the 3&34386 Patented Apr. 9, i363 cord bend engaged in the disc slot and the rotor rotated to retain the cord bend;

FIGURE 11 is a View like FIGURE 10, showing the rotor further rotated, with the cord wound around the rotor core; and

FIGURE 12 is a fragmentary longitudinal section taken on the line 12-12 of FIGURE 7.

Referring in detail to the drawings, wherein like and related numerals designate like and related parts throughout the several views, and first to FIGURES 1 through 5 thereof, the reel therein shown and generally designated 14, comprises a longitudinally elongated hollow substantially cylindrical housing 16 having an outwardly bowed concave-convex side wall 18, and fiat parallel first and second end walls 20 and 22, respectively. The housing 16 is composed of separable first and second sec tions 24 and 26, respectively, which are preferably subatantially similar, and severally provided on their side walls, with an annular groove 23 and an annular tongue 30 engaged in the groove.

The housing 16 contains :a reel rotor 32 which comprises a cylindrical core 34 which is slightly longer than the distance between the outer side of the first end wall 29 and the inner side of the second end wall 22. The core 34 has a convex first end 36, which is journalled through an axial opening 38 in the first end wall 22', is provided with a kerf 39 for reception of such as a coin; and a squared second end 40 which faces the inner side of the second end wall 22. From its second end 40 the core 3-4 is formed with an axial blind bore 42, having a closed end 44-, close to the first end 36 and opening to the second end 40. At the end 49 the bore 42 is counterbored, as indicated at 46.

Spring means is provided for winding a cord within the housing 16 through a longitudinally elongated open-' ing 48, in the middle of the sidewall 13, the opening 48 being surrounded by a projecting neck 50'. Such means comprises an elongated two-ply rubber band '52 having one end looped around a cross pin 54, extending across the bore 42, near the first core end 36, and having its other end secured to the second end wall 22, as by having its plies 5'6 passed through spaced parallel slots 58, in the end wall 22, with the portion 60 of the rubber band, between the plies 56, engaged with the outer side of the end wall 22.

The rotor core 34, at its second end 40, is journalled in the second housing end wall, through the medium of a push button, generally designated '62, which comprises an enlarged diameter knob 64, from one side of which extends a reduced diameter axial tubular cylindrical barrel 65, having a side wall 68 which is formed with diametrically opposed longitudinal closed slots 70. The slots 70 are substantially shorter than the barrel 66 and extend to the knob 64, and receive a diametrical pin 72 which extends across a circular opening 74, provided in the second housing end wall 22, through which the barrel 66 slidably extends, with the inner end portion 76 of the barrel journalled in the counterbore 46 of the rotor core 34. The barrel 66 has a rounded inner end '73 which bears against the annular shoulder 86 defined between the core bore 42 and the counterbore 46.

The rotor 32 further comprises a first reel flange 82, which is pan-shaped, is fixed on the core 34 adjacent to and spaced from the first end 36 of the core, and faces the second housing end wall 22; and a second pan-shaped reel flange 84, which is fixed on the core 34, at its second end 40, and faces the first reel flange 82. A disc 86 is fixed to the core 34 and is equally spaced from the reel flanges 82 and 84. The reel flanges 82 and 84- are spaced from each other at a distance less than the distance between the housing end walls 20' and 22, to provide for endwise movement of the rotor 32, relative to 3 the housing 16, for a purpose hereinafter described. The tension of the rubber band 52 biases the rotor 32 toward the second housing end wall 22.

As shown in FIGURES 4 and 9 through 11, the disc 36 has a peripheral edge 88, and is formed with a cord retaining slot 99. The slot 90 extends chordally from a point near one side of the core 34 and curves radially outwardly toward the other side of the core 34, and opens to the peripheral edge 88. The slot 90 flares toward the peripheral edge 88. The convex edge 92 of the slot fit) merges curvedly into the peripheral edge 88, as indicated at 94. The concave slot edge 96 meets the peripheral edge 83, the meeting being rounded, as indicated at 98,

so as to, in effect, define a cord retaining or securing hook 5.99. The slot W curves in the direction in which the rotor 32 is rotated by the rubber band 52 to wind a cord C into and around the rotor core 34.

The rotor 32 is ratchetted to the housing 16 by means of circumferentially spaced ratchet bosses 1G2 projecting from the inner side of the second end wall 22, and ratchet ribs or lugs 104 on the adjacent side of the second reel flange 84. As shown in FIGURES 3 and 5, the ratchet bosses 102 are of semi-circular rounded form and have fiat sides 1% and rounded sides 16%. The ratchet ribs 104 preferably two in number are diametrical- 1y opposed and are radially elongated and are substantially longer than the ratchet bosses 162, and have fiat opposed sides. The ribs 1% are adapted to bear against the flat sides 106 of the bosses 102, for retaining the rotor 32 against rotation, relative the housing 16, in a direction to wind a cord onto the core 34.

The rotor 32 is biased in a direction to wind a cord on the core 34 by pretensioning the rubber band 52 by twisting the same, in the proper direction, by rotating the rotor 32 relative to the housing 16, as by inserting a coin in the kerf 39 in the first end 36 of the core 34. As such rotation takes place, the ratchet ribs 104 on the second reel flanges S4 ratchet over the rounded sides 108 of the ratchet bosses 102. When the core is released, with the rubber band 52 so twisted, the ratchet ribs 194 engage the fiat sides 1% of the bosses M2, so that the rotor 32 is held against rotation, in a direction to wind a cord thereon.

in order to release the rotor 32 to be rotated by the rubber band 62 in a cord winding direction, the button 62 is pushed inwardly into the housing 16, so that the rotor is moved toward the first end wall 26 of the housing, far enough to permit the ratchet ribs 1% to clear the ratchet bosses I132.

The form of the invention shown in FIGURE 6, and generally designated 14'. is substantially similar to that of FIGURES 1 to 5, except that its housing 16 is made substantially longer, and its cord slot 48 is extended in length.

The form of the invention shown in FIGURES 7 and 8 and 12, and generally designated M has a flat substantially cylindrical housing 16* whose sidewall 18'" is arcuate and provided with a necked cord receiving opening 43 in a protruded part 19 of the sidewall 13 and whose first and second end walls Zfi and 22 are concavo-convex. The rotor 32*, has an enlarged diameter core 34 having first and second reel flanges '82 and 84 on its ends, and a cord retaining disc 86 spaced between the flanges and provided with a slot 90 The core 34 is hollow and is open at its end adjacent to the second reel flange 84, and a flat spiral tensionwound spring 52 is disposed axially in the core, at its closed end, and has its outer end secured to the sidewall of the core, as indicated at 53. An axial tubular shaft 55, smaller in diameter than the core 34 extends between the inner sides of the reel flanges 82 and 84 and through the spring 52 and the inner end of the spring has a terminal 57 which is anchored to the tubular shaft 55 by being engaged through diametrically opposed slots 59 in the sidewall thereof.

As shown in FIGURE 12, the tubular shaft 55 is held in place against rotation relative to the housing 16 by a plug having a shank 61 threaded through the first reel flange 82 and into the adjacent end of the shaft 55, the plug having an enlarged head 63 which bears against the outer side of the flange 82 The reel flanges 82 and 84 have central bearing openings 65 and 67, re-

spectively, which receive the shaft 55. The second reel flange 84 has a circle of teeth 69, on its inward side, which surround the shaft 55, and inwardly of the teeth 69, the sidewall of the shaft 55 is provided with diametrically opposed, longitudinal slots 71.

A ring 73 sliding on the shaft 55 between the teeth 69 and the spring 52 has teeth 75 on its outer side, which are normally urged into engagement with the teeth 69, by an expanding coil spring '77 circumposed on the shaft 55 between the ring '73 and the spring 52 A diametrical pin '79, extending across the ring '73, slides non-rotatably in the shaft slots 71, and extends through the inward end of a push button 62*, which slides in the shaft 55, through an opening 8ft, provided in the second housing end wall 22.

The push button 62 can comprise a solid shank, provided, adjacent its outer end, with a diametrical bore $3, through which a removable stop pin extends. The pin 8'5 normally engage the outer side of the second housing end wall 22 as shown in FIGURES 7 and 12, but is removable, in order to enable pushing the push button 62 far enough inwardly to disengage the teeth 69 and '75, so as to permit the spring 52 to rotate the rotor in a cord-winding direction.

Although there have been shown and described herein preferred forms of the invention, it is to be understood that the invention is not necessarily confined thereto and that any change or changes in the structure of and in the relative arrangements of components thereof are contemplated as being within the scope of the invention as defined by the claims appended hereto.

What is claimed is:

1. A reel comprising a hollow cylindrical housing having a sidewall provided with :a cord entrance opening, and first and second end walls, a rotor within the housing, said rotor comprising a core extending between the end walls and having a first end journal-led through said first end wall, said core having a second end located adjacent to the inward side of said second housing end wall, spaced first and second reel flanges on said core, said first reel flange being normally spaced from said first end wall, said second reel flange being normally located close to said second end wall, cord retaining means on said core, said core having an axial blind bore opening to its second end, rotor rotating spring means in said here, said spring means being connected at one end to the core and at its other end to said second end wall, ratchet means comprising circumferentially spaced ratchet bosses on the inward side of said second end Wall, said bosses having rounded sides and fiat sides, ratchet ribs on the adjacent side of the second reel flange, said spring means 'being tensioned to bias the rotor toward the second housing end wall and engage the ratchet lugs between ratchet ribs, rotor rotating means outside the housing in the first end of the core for rotationally tensiom'ng said spring means, and a push button slidably mounted on said second end wall and working therethrough, said push button being journalled in the blind bore of the core, said button being adapted to be pushed inwardly to engage the rotor core and push the second reel flange away from the second housing end wall so as to clear the ratchet ribs from the ratchet bosses and enable the spring means to rotate the rotor in a cord winding direction.

2. A reel comprising a hollow cylindrical housing having a sidewall provided with a cord entrance opening, and first and second end walls, a rotor within the housing, said rotor comprising a core extending between the end walls and having a first end journalled through said first end wall, said core having a second end located adjacent to the inward side of said second housing end wall, spaced first and second reel flanges on said core, said first reel flange being normally spaced from said first end wall, said second reel flange being normally located close to said second end wall, cord retaining means on said core, said core having an axial blind lbore opening to its second end, rotor rotating spring means in said bore, said spring means being connected at one end to the core and at its other end to said second end wall, ratchet means comprising circumferentially spaced ratchet bosses on the inward side of said second end wall, said bosses having rounded sides and flat sides, ratchet ribs on the adjacent side of the second reel flange, said spring means being tensioned to bias the rotor toward the second housing end wall and engage the ratchet ribs between ratchet lugs, rotor rotating means outside the housing in the first end of the core "for rotationally tensioning said spring means, and a push button slidably mounted on said second end wall and working therethrough, said push button being journalled in the blind bore of the core, said button being adapted to be pushed inwardly to engage the rotor core and push the second reel flange away from the second housing end wall so \as to clear the ratchet ribs from the ratchet bosses and enable the spring means to rotate the rotor in a cord winding direction, said cord retaining means comprising a disc on the rotor core between and spaced from the reel flanges, said disc having a peripheral edge, said disc being formed with a chordal slot opening to said peripheral edge, said slot being arcuate and defining a cord retaining hook on the disc at one side of the slot.

3. A reel comprising a hollow cylindrical housing having a sidewall provided with a cord entrance opening, and first and second end walls, a rotor within the housing, said rotor comprising a core extending between the end walls and having a first end journalled through said first end wall, said core having a second end located adjacent to the inward side of said second housing end wall, spaced first and second reel flanges on said core, said first reel flange being normally spaced from said first end wall, said second reel flange being normally located close to said second end wall, cord retaining means on said core, said core having an axial blind bore opening to its second end, rotor rotating spring means in said bore, said spring means being connected at one end to the core and at its other end to said second end wall, ratchet means comprising circumferentially spaced ratchet bosses on the inward side of said second end wall, said bosses having rounded sides and flat sides, ratchet ribs on the adjacent side of the second reel flange, said spring means being tensioned to bias the rotor toward the second housing end wall and engage the ratchet lugs between ratchet ribs, rotor rotating means outside the housing in the first end of the core for rotationally tensioning said spring means, and a push button slidably mounted on said second end wall and working therethrough, said push button being journalled in the blind bore of the core, said button being adapted to be pushed inwardly to engage the rotor core and push the second reel flange away from the second housing end wall so as to clear the ratchet ribs from the ratchet bosses and enable the spring means to rotate the rotor in a cord winding direction, said rotor rotating means comprising a kerf in the first end of the core.

4. A reel comprising a hollow cylindrical housing having a sidewall provided with a cord entrance opening, and first and second end walls, a rotor within the housing, said rotor comprising a core extending between the end Walls and having a first end journalled through said first end wall, said core having a second end located adjacent to the inward side of said second housing end wall, spaced first and second reel flanges on said core, said first reel flange being normally spaced from said first end wall,

said second reel flange being normally located close to said second end wall, cord retaining means on said core, said core having an axial blind bore opening to its second end, rotor rotating spring means in said bore, said spring means being connected at one end to the core and at its other end to said second end wall, ratchet means comprising circumferentially spaced ratchet bosses on the inward side of said second end wall, said bosses having rounded sides and flat sides, ratchet ribs on the adjacent side of the second reel flange, said spring means being tensioned to bias the rotor toward the second housing end wall and engage the ratchet lugs between ratchet ribs, rotor rotating means outside the housing in the first end of the core for rotationally tensioning said spring means, and a push button slidably mounted on said second end wall and working therethrough, said push button being journalled in the blind bore of the core, said button being adapted to be pushed inwardly to engage the rotor core and push the second reel flange away from the second housing end wall so as to clear the ratchet ribs from the ratchet bosses and enable the spring means to rotate the rotor in a. cord winding direction, said spring means comprising a rubber band positioned lengthwise in the blind bore, said rubber band having :a first end secured to the core at the closed end of the blind bore, said rubber band having a second end secured to the second end wall of the housing.

5. A reel comprising a hollow cylindrical housing having a sidewall provided with a cord entrance opening, and first and second end walls, a rotor within the housing, said rotor comprising a core extending between the end walls and having a first end journalled through said first end wall, said core having a second end located adjacent to the inward side of said second housing end wall, spaced first and second reel flanges on said core, said first reel flange being normally spaced from said first end wall, said second reel flange being normally located close to said second end wall, cord retaining means on said core, said core having an axial blind bore opening to its second end, rotor rotating spring means in said bore, said spring means being connected at one end to the core and at its other end to said second end wall, ratchet means comprising circnmferentially spaced ratchet bosses on the inward side of said second end wall, said bosses having rounded sides and flat sides, ratchet lugs on the adjacent side of the second reel flange, said spring means being tensioned to bias the rotor toward the second housing end wall and engage the ratchet rib between ratchet lugs, rotor rotating means outside the housing in the first end of the core for rotationally tensioning said spring means, and a push button slidably mounted on said second end wall and working theret-hrough, said push button being journalle'd in the blind bore of the core, said button being adapted to be pushed inwardly to engage the rotor core and push the second reel flange away from the second housing and wall so as to clear the ratchet ribs from the ratchet bosses and enable the spring means to rotate the rotor in a cord winding direction, said spring means comprising a rubber band positioned lengthwise in the blind bore, said rubber band having a first end secured to the core at the closed end of the blind bore, said rubber band having a second end secured to the second end wall of the housing, said rubber band having a pair of plies, said second end wall having parallel spaced slots through which the plies extend, the brand having a portion extending between the plies and engaged with the outer side of the second end wall.

6. A reel comprising a hollow cylindrical housing having a sidewall provided with a cord entrance opening, and first and second end walls, a rotor within the housing, said rotor comprising a core extending between the end walls and having a first end journal-led through said first end wall, said core having a second end located adjacent to the inward side of said second housing end wall, spaced firs-t and second reel flanges on said core, said first assesses reel flange being normally spaced from said first end wall, said second reel flange being normally located close to said second end wall, cord retaining means on said core, said core having an axial blind lbore opening to its second end, rotor rotating spring means in said bore, said spring means being connected at one end to the core and at its other end to said second end wall, ratchet means comprising circumferentially spaced ratchet bosses on the inward side of said second end wall, said bosses having rounded sides and flat sides, ratchet ribs on the adjacent side of the second reel flange, said spring means being tensioned to bias the rotor toward the second housing end wall and engage the ratchet lugs between ratchet ribs, rotor rotating means outside the housing in the first end of the core for rotationally tensioning said spring means, and a push button slidably mounted on said second end wall and working therethrough, said push button being journalled in the blind bore of the core, said button being adapted to be pushed inwardly to engage the rotor core and push the second reel flange away from the second housing end wall so as to clear the ratchet ribs from the ratchet bosses and enable the spring means to rotate the rotor in a cord winding direction, said spring means comprising a rubber band positioned lengthwise in the blind bore, said rubber band having a first end secured to the core at the closed end of the blind bore, said rubber band having a second end secured to the second end Wall of the housing, said rubber band having a pair of plies, said second end wall having parallel spaced slots through which the plies extend, the band having a portion extending between the plies and engaged with the outer side of the second end wall, said blind bore having a counterbore at its open end defining an internal shoulder, the push button being journalled in said counterbore and engaged \m'th said shoulder.

7. A reel comprising a hollow cylindrical housing having a sidewall provided with a cord entrance opening, and first and second end walls, a rotor within the housing, said rotor comprising a core extending between the end walls and having a flat end journalled through said first end wall, said core having a second end located adjacent to the inward side of said second housing end wall, spaced first and second reel flnages on said core, said first reel flange being normally spaced from said first end wall, said second reel flange being normally located close to said second end wall, cord retaining means on said core, said core having an axial blind bore opening to its second end, rotor rotating spring means in said bore, said spring means being connected at one end to the core and at its other end to said second end wall, ratchet means comprising circumferentially spaced ratchet bosses on the inward side of said second end wall, said bosses having rounded sides and flat sides, ratchet lugs on the adjacent side of the second reel flange, said spring means being tensioned to bias the rotor toward the second housing end wall and engage the ratchet ribs between ratchet lugs, rotor rotating means outside the housing in the first end of the core for rotationally tensioning said spring means, and a push button slidably mounted on said second end wall and working therethrough, said push button being journalled in the blind bore of the core, said button being adapted to be pushed inwardly to engage the rotor core and push the second reel flange away from the second housing end wall so as to clear the ratchet ribs from the ratchet bosses and enable the spring means to rotate the rotor in a cord winding direction, said spring means comprising a rubber band positioned lengthwise in the blind bore, said rubber band having a first end secured to the core at the closed end of the blind bore, said rubber band having a second end secured to the second end wall of the housing, said rubber band having a pair of plies, said second end wall having parallel spaced slots through which the plies extend, the band having a portion extending between the plies and engaged with the outer side of the second end wall, said blind bore having a counterbore at its open end defining an internal shoulder, the push button being journalled in said counterbore and engaged with said shoulder, said second end wall having a circular opening aligned with the rotor core, a diametrical cross bar extending across said circular opening, said push button comprising a cylindrical bar-rel engaged through said circular opening, the barrel having a side wall formed with opposed closed longitudinal slots receiving said cross bar, and a knob on the outer end of said barrel.

8. A reel comprising a hollow cylindrical housing having a sidewall provided with a cord entrance opening, and first and second end walls, a rotor within the housing, said rotor comprising a core extending between the end walls and having a flat end journalled through said first end wall, said core having a second end located adjacent to the inward side of said second housing end wall, spaced first and second reel flanges on said core, said first reel flange being normally spaced from said first end wall, said second reel flange being normally located close to said second end wall, cord retaining means on said core, said core having an axial blind bore opening to its second end, rotor rotating spring means in said bore, said spring means being connected at one end to the core and at its other end to said second end wall, ratchet means comprising circu-mferentially spaced ratchet bosses on the inward side of said second end wall, said bosses having rounded sides and flat sides, ratchet ribs on the adjacent side of the second reel flange, said spring means being tensioned to bias the rotor toward the second housing end wall and engage the ratchet lugs between ratchet ribs, rotor rotating means outside the housing in the first end of the core for rotationally tensioning said spring means, and a push button slidably mounted on said second end wall and working therethrough, said push button being journalled in the blind bore of the core, said button being adapted to be pushed inwardly to engage the rotor core and push the second reel flange away from the second housing end Wall so as to clear the ratchet ribs from the ratchet bosses and enable the spring means to rotate the rotor in a cord winding direction, said spring means comprising a rubber band positioned lengthwise in the blind bore, said rubber band having a first end secured to the core at the closed end of the blind bore, said rubber band having a second end secured to the second end wall of the housing, said rubber band having a pair of plies, said second end wall having parallel spaced slots through which the plies extend, the band having a portion extending between the plies and engaged with the outer side of the second end Wall, said blind bore having a counterbore at its open end defining an internal shoulder, the push button being journalled in said counterbore and engaged with said shoulder, said second end wall having a circular opening aligned with the rotor core, a diametrical cross bar extending across said circular opening, said push button comprising a cylindrical barrel engaged through said circular opening, the barrel having a side wall formed with opposed closed longitudinal slots receiving said cross bar, and a knob on the outer end of said barrel, said barrel being engaged in said counterbore and having an inner end engaged with said shoulder.

9. A reel comprising a hollow cylindrical housing having a sidewall and first and second end walls, said sidewallbeing provided with a cord entrance opening, a rotor mounted within the housing, said rotor comprising a core having longitudinally spaced first and second reel flanges thereon and a cord retaining disc disposed spacedly between the reel flanges, said disc having a peripheral edge and being formed with a curved chordal slot opening to said peripheral edge and defining a cord retaining hook on the disc at one side of the slot, said core being hollow cylindrical, said reel flanges having axial openings, a tubular shaft extending between the housing end walls and through the reel flange openings, means fixing said shaft to said first housing end wall, a flat tension-wound spiral spring within the core and surrounding said shaft,

said spring having an outer end secured to the core and an inner end secured to the shaft, said second reel flange having a first ring of teeth on its inward side surrounding the shaft, a second ring of teeth slidably circurnposed on 10 Wall having an axial opening through which the shank slides, said shank being connected to said cross pin, and a removable diametrical stop pin extending through the outer end of the shank and normally bearing against the outer side of the second housing end Wall.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 996,476 Fitton et al. June 27, 1911 1,415,489 Simpson May 9, 1922 1,436,241 Davis Nov. 21, 1922 2,632,609 Kirby Mar. 24, 1953 

1. A REEL COMPRISING A HOLLOW CYLINDRICAL HOUSING HAVING A SIDEWALL PROVIDED WITH A CORD ENTRANCE OPENING, AND FIRST AND SECOND END WALLS, A ROTOR WITHIN THE HOUSING SAID ROTOR COMPRISING A CORE EXTENDING BETWEEN THE END WALLS AND HAVING A FIRST END JOURNALLED THROUGH SAID FIRST END WALL, SAID CORE HAVING A SECOND END LOCATED ADJACENT TO THE INWARD SIDE OF SAID SECOND HOUSING END WALL, SPACED FIRST AND SECOND REEL FLANGES ON SAID CORE, SAID FIRST REEL FLANGE BEING NORMALLY SPACED FROM SAID FIRST END WALL, SAID SECOND REEL FLANGE BEING NORMALLY LOCATED CLOSE TO SAID SECOND END WALL, CORD RETAINING MEANS ON SAID CORE, SAID CORE HAVING AN AXIAL BLIND BORE OPENING TO ITS SECOND END, ROTOR ROTATING SPRING MEANS IN SAID BORE, SAID SPRING MEANS BEING CONNECTED AT ONE END TO THE CORE AND AT ITS OTHER END TO SAID SECOND END WALL, RATCHET MEANS COMPRISING CIRCUMFERENTIALLY SPACED RATCHET BOSSES ON THE INWARD SIDE OF SAID SECOND END WALL, SAID BOSSES HAVING ROUNDED SIDES AND FLAT SIDES, RATCHET RIBS ON THE ADJACENT SIDE OF THE SECOND REEL FLANGE, SAID SPRING MEANS BEING TENSIONED TO BIAS THE ROTOR TOWARD THE SECOND HOUSING END WALL AND ENGAGE THE RATCHET LUGS BETWEEN RATCHET RIBS, ROTOR ROTATING MEANS OUTSIDE THE HOUSING IN THE FIRST END OF THE CORE FOR ROTATIONALLY TENSIONING SAID SPRING MEANS, AND A PUSH BUTTON SLIDABLY MOUNTED ON SAID SECOND END WALL AND WORKING THERETHROUGH, SAID PUSH BUTTON BEING JOURNALLED IN THE BLIND BORE OF THE CORE, SAID BUTTON BEING ADAPTED TO BE PUSHED INWARDLY TO ENGAGE THE ROTOR CORE AND PUSH THE SECOND REEL FLANGE AWAY FROM THE SECOND HOUSING END WALL SO AS TO CLEAR THE RATCHET RIBS FROM THE RATCHET BOSSES AND ENABLE THE SPRING MEANS TO ROTATE THE ROTOR IN A CORD WINDING DIRECTION. 